Coping Skills for Addiction Recovery

Learn How Developing Effective Coping Skills for Addiction Recovery can Benefit You

What is Recovery? Recovery is defined as a process of change through which individuals improve health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. Recovery from addiction is known to be very challenging, however, it is, in fact, possible to achieve. One of the most important factors in achieving recovery. It is possible to prevent relapse by implementing effective coping skills for addiction recovery into your relapse intervention plan. One of the most important skills in relapse prevention is knowing your triggers. Knowing your triggers can help you combat them when you are presented with them. Your triggers are characterized by factors that may influence you to drink such as environment or emotions. Does being around certain people Does being around certain people make you want to drink? When you feel sad do you have cravings for prescription painkillers? These types of triggers can be very strong and can present themselves at any given time. Triggers tend to lead to cravings, and cravings typically lead to use. That’s why knowing and managing your triggers are so crucial in developing effective coping skills for addiction recovery. The easiest way to deal with triggers is to try avoiding them before they present themselves. Avoiding relapses can be accomplished by avoiding triggers.

Developing A Recovery Plan

In addition to knowing your triggers, there are several other coping skills that are important for recovering from addiction. Another important skill is changing your way of thinking. In order to change our lives, we must change our way of thinking as well. If you tell yourself that you can change your life and be free from the grips of addiction, you absolutely can. Once your thoughts about yourself and your abilities become positive, you will be able to make positive changes in your life, starting with overcoming addiction. Changing your thinking also requires changing your thoughts about using substances. If you think that using substances helps “alleviate stress” or “makes you feel better”, you must change this way of thinking. These thoughts are contributing factors to relapse, as negative thoughts are also triggers for relapse. Thinking positively and focusing on positivity will aid you in a successful recovery from addiction, as well as being successful in your relapse prevention plan.

Developing a circle of social support is another important coping skill for addiction recovery. Overcoming addiction or substance abuse can be very difficult, overcoming this obstacle requires more than just you. It is important to build a social support team, by seeking support from friends, family, and your peers. Having people who will support you throughout your journey of recovery and relapse prevention plan can be a very effective way to achieve a successful recovery. Social support can be a powerful resource in your recovery process because there are so many benefits to having social support. Being surrounded by individuals who provide encouragement, understanding, compassion, optimism and problem-solving skills undoubtedly helps in your recovery process. Not only can social support be sought from family, friends, and loved ones, but there is a myriad of support groups across the country such as 12 Step groups including Alcoholics Anonymous.

According to the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), relapse rates are between 40 and 60 percent. The rates of relapse in substance abuse and addiction treatment are very similar to those of other chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. With relapse being a common outcome of addiction treatment, it is important to steadily combat against it with effective tools for addiction recovery. In addition to the several skills listed above, you can also incorporate the following into your toolbox of coping skills for addiction recovery:

  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Prayer
  • Healthy Eating
  • Journaling
  • Reading
  • Practicing gratitude
  • Breathing exercises

Incorporating our recommended coping skills for your successful recovery from addiction will make a vast difference in your journey to freedom from addiction. Coming up with a substance abuse relapse prevention plan is crucial. Along the way on your road to recovery, you will face many challenges, using your coping skills for addiction recovery will be great tools to help you overcome those challenges. Always remember in your most challenging times that you can overcome addiction, and even if you relapse, you can always start over! Overcoming addiction is about more than abstaining from using drugs and/or alcohol, it’s about completely transforming you into a new, healthier and more positive you.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.